Author: Talar Tumanian

Five days after Bob Dylan was named the winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, no one knows how he feels about the prestigious award — not even the Nobel judges, the Associated Press reports.

The Swedish Academy, which bestows the annual honour, says it hasn’t been able to reach Dylan since the award was announced last Thursday.

Permanent Secretary Sara Danius told Swedish Radio she’s been in contact with a close associate of Dylan, but not the laureate himself.

“I am not worried at all. I have a feeling that he will get in touch,” she said.

Danius said the academy isn’t making further efforts to reach him, but hopes he will accept the invitation to collect his award at the annual Nobel ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10.

“If he doesn’t want to come then he doesn’t want to come,” she said. “It will be a big and nice party anyway.”

Only two people have declined a Nobel Prize in literature. Boris Pasternak did so under pressure from Soviet authorities in 1958 and Jean-Paul Sartre, who declined all official honours, turned it down in 1964.

Dylan, who is currently on tour in the U.S., hasn’t mentioned the Nobel Prize during his concerts since the announcement.

As of Tuesday, his official webpage made no mention of the prize except in the “books” section, where a post dated Oct. 17 about his lyrics collection The Lyrics: 1961-2012 noted in all caps that he was a Nobel Prize winner.

On September 20, at the UN Headquarter, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed on behalf of Armenia the Agreement adopted in the result of Climate Change Conference held in Paris under the aegis of the United Nations.

The agreement outlines a series of steps of the international community aimed at confronting global warming.

Last year Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, participated in the opening ceremony and delivered remarks at the Paris Conference.

On 14 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory address to the newly-appointed prime-minister of the Republic of Armenia Karen Karapetyan.

The address runs as follows:

“On behalf of the people and authorities of the Artsakh Republic and on my own behalf, I extend my cordial congratulations to You on being appointed to the post of Republic of Armenia’s Prime Minister.

You have rich experience and knowledge, high personal and professional abilities that will greatly favor the realization of Your activity in this responsible position.

I am confident You will continue serving selflessly to the patriotic mission of bringing prosperity and development the Motherland’s and native people’s, strengthening the Armenian statehood, securing economic progress, deepening and widening ties between Armenia and Artsakh on a consistent basis.

I wish You great success for the glory of the Republic of Armenian and the Armenia people”.

In December 2014, the European Union confirmed financial support with total value of €25 million to the Government of Armenia, within the programme ENPARD (European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development) Armenia. This programme is being implemented over three years, providing €20 million of budget support for the Government of Armenia to sustain agricultural and rural development. A further €5 million is being provided to support the Ministry of Agriculture and to promote the development of farmers groups and value adding chains throughout Armenia.

The budget support payments are being made over three years, and the 2016 payment of €7 million has just been transferred to the Government of Armenia. In confirming the payment, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, commented: “I very much welcome the progress achieved in the implementation of this programme as a whole, including the valuable role played by the complementary assistance. I would therefore like to congratulate the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture in particular for the achievements in the context of this support.”

This support, in line with EU assistance priorities, contributes directly to achieving the Eastern Partnership key objective of reducing economic and social disparities. Given the high unemployment and lack of livelihoods and income, poverty levels in Armenia remain high, particularly in rural areas. Agriculture and subsistence farming represent a broad-based opportunity for food security and informal employment. Thus, there is a great need for agricultural and rural development through improving agricultural institutions, strengthening the capacity and performance of farmers associations and cooperatives, increasing access to affordable food, and supporting the roll-out of a general agricultural census. All of these areas are being supported through ENPARD Armenia.

Within the framework of the programme, over €5 million has been committed to UNIDO, UNDP and FAO to provide technical support to the Government of Armenia in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, local authorities and other stakeholders. UNIDO and UNDP are working jointly to strengthen and establish producer groups and engage them effectively in value chain development. FAO provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture for institutional development and policy harmonization, as well as the roll-out of the national agricultural census. Beneficiaries of the programme are rural communities, farmers, producer group members, employees in agricultural value chains, and their families.

ENPARD is improving the lives of nearly 800 farmers directly, and indirectly 3,200 people, through the creation of agricultural cooperatives.  The cooperatives have been provided with the latest equipment and technology, and their staff trained in the production of high quality products. 55 cooperatives have been formed and registration initiated under the Law on Agricultural Cooperatives. The farmer groups are producing buckwheat, European type high value cheeses, non-traditional vegetables such as broccoli, and dried fruits and herbs. In every case value is added to the products before sale. Members of the groups have invested nearly €240,000 of their own funds in their cooperatives, while partner development organizations have given or lent at favourable terms a further €150,000. All ENPARD products (to be available in stores from November 2016) will meet food safety standards, and will be certified. In addition, fourteen unique brands are being developed and will be registered.

Ten recipients of the Gratitude Scholarship program from Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon will begin their studies at United World College (UWC) schools around the world in September. These students have been chosen based on their high academic performance. Each is either a refugee or displaced, living in extreme poverty, or living with the loss of a parent or a guardian. Seven of the students will attend UWC Dilijan in Armenia, an international co-educational boarding school which hosts students from more than 60 countries.

The Gratitude Scholarship program, valued over $7 million, is a joint undertaking of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Near East Foundation. Over the duration of the program, 100 promising students from countries affected by conflict, displacement and poverty in the Middle East will benefit from the opportunity to study at one of the United World College international schools and colleges. The program was established to thank the people of the Middle East who offered shelter and food to those displaced by the Armenian Genocide a century ago.

The Co-Founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative have also announced the continuation of the Amal Clooney Scholarship. Now in its second year, the scholarship offers one female student from Lebanon free enrollment in a two-year international baccalaureate program at UWC Dilijan. The student is selected based on her exemplary academic performance and interest in the promotion of human rights and international issues. The scholarship was established to strengthen cross-cultural education and understanding, in honor of the scholarship’s namesake, esteemed international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

“We are proud to offer education and international experience to deserving students from the Middle East, home to so many Armenians during the last century,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. “By bringing together young people from across the world, we seek to promote international dialogue and understanding at an early age, when relationships are formed and values are instilled. Our hope is that this reinforces a sense of compassion, understanding and the willingness to help each other, even in the face of adversity.”

This year’s Amal Clooney Scholar was selected from more than 43 short-listed applicants for her stellar academic performance, positive energy and passionate sense of social responsibility, which she plans to put to good use by studying law at university.

“We are proud to be able to help empower our next generation of female leaders and humanitarians through this program,” Vardanyan added. “And we’re excited by the possibilities this scholarship holds for the young women of Lebanon and the region.”

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative aims to advance collaborative social and philanthropic projects on behalf of the global Armenian community. Its flagship project is the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, a $1 million global humanitarian prize which honors those who put themselves at risk to enable others to survive. George Clooney, Co-Chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, presented the inaugural Aurora Prize to Ms. Marguerite Barankitse during a ceremony in Armenia on April 24, 2016.

Nominations for next year’s Aurora Prize are open until September 9, 2016. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate inspiring humanitarians who are saving lives and advancing humanitarian causes in all parts of the world. To nominate an eligible candidate, please visit .

United States Secretary of State John Kerry cautioned Monday (July 18) that Turkey’s membership in  Nato could be jeopardised if it  abandons democratic principles and the rule of law in a post-coup crackdown, the Washington Post reports.

“Nato also has a requirement with respect to democracy,” Kerry told reporters after European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned Turkey not to execute coup plotters. She noted that countries with the death penalty cannot join the European Union, as Turkey has sought to do.

Kerry said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly assured him that the government will respect democracy and the law.

Kerry warned that Nato will “measure” its actions. “Obviously a lot of people have been arrested and arrested very quickly,” Kerry said. “The level of vigilance and scrutiny is obviously going to be significant in the days ahead. Hopefully we can work in a constructive way that prevents a backsliding.”

On 15 July Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received the delegation of the Yerevan city administration at the head of its mayor Taron Margaryan.

Issues related to the cooperation between Yerevan and the NKR capital and regions were discussed during the meeting.

The Head of the State rated high firm ties with the Armenian capital underlining that various programs have been successfully implemented in Artsakh within the frameworks of this cooperation.

Vice-premier Arthur Aghabekyan, mayor of Stepanakert Souren Grigoryan and other officials partook at the meeting.

Today, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Bill, which covers assistance to Armenia and the region, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reported. The bill maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and includes language for aid to nations hosting Syrian refugees.

Specifically, the SFOPS Report highlighted the need for additional assistance to “vulnerable populations in Syria and in neighboring countries,” comprised of Syrian refugees, Christians, and other minorities afflicted by the Syrian civil war and persecuted by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to the bill, funds “shall be made available for programs in countries affected by significant populations of internally displaced persons or refugees.”

The Committee also recommends the expansion of humanitarian programs to ensure services reach these vulnerable populations. In addition, the House has incorporated a section on Genocide Victim Memorial Sites, where funds are appropriated “to establish and maintain memorial sites of genocide.”

Similar to Fiscal Year 2016, this year’s Committee report did not delineate funding levels for the South Caucasus generally, however, the Senate approved version provided $24.1 million in non-military assistance to Armenia as well as called for continued aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

“As Congress finalizes the House and Senate Appropriations Bills, the Armenian Assembly will continue to push for additional assistance to help Armenia cope with the influx of refugees fleeing from violence in Syria, as well as for much needed humanitarian assistance to help Nagorno Karabakh rebuild after the April war launched by Azerbaijan,” Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny stated.

Earlier this year, 33 Members sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee outlining funding and policy issues for the region. Ardouny, in testimony submitted to the Committee, outlined nine key policy priorities for the Armenian American community, including assistance to Christian Armenians in the Middle East, the majority of whom are descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide. According to Ardouny’s testimony: “The Assembly also urge[d] enhanced assistance to Christian and other minority communities at risk in the Middle East, with a particular focus of concern regarding the continued unrest in Syria, particularly the battleground city of Aleppo where Armenian churches and other institutions have come under attack.”

The House Appropriations Bill, similar to the Senate’s, maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act as well, restating the six customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Azerbaijan. Section 907 of the 1992 FREEDOM Support Act was enacted to address Azerbaijan’s hostile actions against Armenia.

The Spanish city of Merida officially recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide on June 9.

All four political forces represented in the City Council unanimously approved mediation submitted by the Armenian Ararat Union.

The institutional statement labels the 1915-1923 as a crime against humanity and the first genocide of the 20th century.

The European Broadcasting Union will consider the petition calling for a review of the results of 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, RIA Novosti reports.

“We know about the petition, and the issue will be discussed today,” EBU Press Secretary Paul Jordan told the agency. The EBU is expected to publish the answer later today.

Over 200,000 people signed the online petition launched on Change.org in just two days.

“We understand that jury voting and televoting process is a hard and emotional one, but the number of people who’ve signed this shows that how many people are sure that this year’s ‘winner’ is not the one who should really win the contest. We have no doubt in justice and privacy of contest that’s why we think that there’s need to revise the results,” Arthur Hovhannisyan from Armenia, author of the petition on the Change.org website, wrote.